Philadelphia to see between 8 and 12 inches of snow

Brace yourself: The National Weather Service is calling for cold temperatures, strong winds and heavy snowfall.

Commuters, get ready for this later today and tomorrow. Credit: Getty Images

Brace yourself: The National Weather Service is calling for cold temperatures, strong winds and heavy snowfall.

"It's gonna be pretty nasty out there," said meteorologist Mitchell Gaines from the National Weather Service.

In the Philadelphia area, the NWS is expecting between 8 and 12 inches of snow. It's expected to start at noon and increase in intensity throughout the afternoon and into the early evening, then taper off overnight.

During the day, temperatures will generally hover in the 20s.

"We're looking for roads to become fairly slick, snow-covered hazards," she said. "Another facet of this storm will be the increasing gusting northwest winds."

The wind will swirl around 20 mph and grow in speed. Temperatures will drop tonight into the single digits; below-zero wind chills will also be possible.

Gaines said by 7 p.m. residents should expect between 3 and 6 inches of accumulation.

"I would advise people to be very cautious while traveling later this afternoon and tonight," Gaines said.